Breastfeeding in public: your on-the-go guide

Are you breastfeeding here, there and everywhere? Our tips and tricks will make it easy to feed your baby away from home.

Meet the expert: Anna Cannon is a midwife and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant; breastfeedinglondon.co.uk

It can often be much easier if you can breastfeed your baby on the go in public.

However, if you’re new to breastfeeding, there’s a bit of an art to doing it away from home.

You need to work out how to expose only as much boob as you feel happy with, how to stop you baby being distracted by a busier environment, and how you can both feel relaxed so that your milk flows easily and your baby has a good feed.

‘Even when you’ve mastered feeding your baby at home, it’s normal that you might feel apprehensive about doing the same while you’re out and about to start with,’ says midwife and lactation consultant Anna Cannon. But her advice will speed you straight to the top of the learning curve.

Master breastfeeding at home first

The first rule of breastfeeding in public is to take it at your own speed. ‘If you’re already confident with breastfeeding and want to get out there, go for it!’ says Anna. ‘But if it’s taking a bit more time to find your rhythm, then just go at your own speed.’

Getting in tune with his feeding cues – the signs he gives when he’s hungry or when he needs winding – and discovering how long he tends to feed takes time. ‘Knowing all this makes it much easier to feel confident about feeding him on the go,’ says Anna. When you’re confident about what you’re doing, it’ll be far easier to feed in more public places.

Layer up

Wearing the right clothes makes breastfeeding much easier. A good option is to wear a couple of vest tops. When your baby needs to feed, one vest pulls up, one pulls down, and he enjoys fast access without exposing your tummy or chest.

For extra coverage, tuck a muslin into your bra strap and use it as a shielding scarf.

‘Layer up with a cardigan and outer layers you can easily take off too,’ says Anna. ‘Less material in the way means it’s easier for your baby to get a good latch.’ A well-fitting nursing bra underneath is a must for allowing easy access – if you bought yours before your baby was born, get measured again.

‘By the time your baby is two weeks old, your breasts have stopped feeling engorged and you’ll get a truer sense of the right bra size,’ advises Anna.

Choose a quiet spot

‘Find somewhere to feed where you and your baby feel relaxed,’ Anna suggests. ‘If you’re in a café and don’t want to feel self-conscious, choose a seat with your back to the crowd.’

This will also help prevent your baby from being distracted. If you’re with a friend, you could ask her to sit opposite you and provide you some extra shielding. If you feel you need more privacy, or your baby is easily distracted, many high street shops and centres have feeding rooms.

Use different positions

If you’d rather people didn’t notice you’re breastfeeding – and that’s OK, in just the same way that conspicuously breastfeeding is too – hold your baby in a ‘camouflage’ position. ‘These positions mean other people just don’t know that you’re feeding your baby,’ says Anna.

‘The cradle position, where you hold your baby facing your breast, looks like you’re just having a cuddle. When he’s old enough to sit up with his legs either side of your thigh, feed him in that position and it’ll look like you’re playing with him.’

Feeding your baby while he’s in his sling is also a great option if your aim is to be discreet. Babies, and breasts, come in different shapes and sizes, so visit a sling library before you buy to find the right one for you both: find your nearest at ukslinglibraries.wordpress.com

Offer a quick top-up

The best way to make breastfeeding on the go simple is to practise responsive feeding. That means giving your baby milk when he wants it, without worrying how long he feeds for. ‘Not every feed needs to be a 20-minute feast,’ says Anna.

‘Sometimes babies just want a quick top-up because they’re thirsty. Breastfeeding like this makes being out and about easier as you’re not planning in long feeds, or worrying about your baby getting distracted. If your baby’s hungry, he’ll feed. If he’s distracted, stop, cover up and carry on shopping!’

Express yourself

Once your baby is six weeks old your milk supply should be well established and you can start to express milk which you can feed your baby on the run if you’re not comfortable breastfeeding out and about.

‘The best time to express is first thing in the morning,’ says Anna. ‘Feed your baby on one breast, then express from the other. When it’s time for your baby’s next meal, feed him on the breast you expressed from. The milk can be stored in the fridge, as long as the temperature is under 4°C, for three to five days.’

Get savvy

There are a couple of cold-weather issues to know about. The first is that some cough remedy ingredients can slow down milk production, so check with your pharmacist that anything you use is suitable for use while breastfeeding. ‘Try hot water with honey and lemon instead,’ says Anna. Cold weather can also make your nipples sensitive. ‘Wrap up well and use heat pads. If these don’t help, get advice from your GP,’ says Anna.

Remember, feeling comfortable breastfeeding on the go is all about you and your baby, so go with what works best for you!